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Writing a CV for the first time can feel like staring at a blank page with no idea where to start. And if you have not updated yours in a while, it can feel just as daunting.
The good news is that a strong CV does not need to be complicated. It needs to be clear, honest, and easy to read. This guide walks you through everything, from why you need a CV in the first place, to what every section should say, with real examples throughout and a full sample CV at the end so you can see exactly what a good one looks like.
A CV (curriculum vitae) is the document you send to employers when applying for a job. It summarises who you are, what you have done, and why you are right for the role. In the UK, most employers expect one, and it is usually your first impression.
Most UK CVs are one to two pages long. One page is fine if you are new to work. Two pages is perfectly acceptable if you have more experience.
You may have come across both terms and wondered whether they mean the same thing. The short answer is: in the UK, they mostly do. Most British employers use the word CV, and that is what you should call your document when applying for jobs here.
However there is a distinction worth knowing, especially if you are applying for roles internationally or have moved to the UK from abroad.
A CV is typically two pages and gives a fuller picture of your academic background, qualifications, work history, and skills. In some fields like academia, medicine, or research, a CV can be longer as it may include publications, presentations, and professional memberships.
A resume is more common in the United States and Canada. It is usually one page, highly tailored to a specific job, and focuses purely on the most relevant experience for that role. Detail that does not serve the application gets left out entirely.
In simple terms:
If you have moved to the UK from another country and your document is labelled a resume, do not worry too much about the name. Just make sure the content and format follow UK CV conventions, which this guide covers in full.
A CV is more than a formality. It is the single most important document in your job search, and here is why.
It gets you in the room. Before an employer meets you or speaks to you, they read your CV. It is your opportunity to make a strong first impression before you have said a single word.
It works even when you are not there. Your CV is out there doing the work for you, whether that is sitting in a recruiter’s inbox, being passed between hiring managers, or being held on file for future opportunities.
It helps you get past automated screening. Most medium and large employers now use software called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to filter applications before a human ever looks at them. A well-structured CV with the right keywords will pass through. A poorly formatted one may not, even if you are a strong candidate.
It focuses your own thinking. Writing a CV forces you to take stock of what you have done, what skills you have built up, and what you bring to an employer. That clarity helps you in applications, interviews, and conversations about your career.
It opens doors you did not expect. A good CV on a job board or LinkedIn can attract opportunities you never applied for. Recruiters actively search for candidates, and a well-written profile gives you a chance of being found.
Before you start writing, it helps to know what makes the difference between a CV that gets read and one that gets skipped.
Keep it relevant. Every section and every bullet point should help you get the job you are applying for. If something does not add to that case, cut it.
Be specific, not vague. “Good communicator” tells an employer nothing. “Handled up to 60 customer queries a day across phone and email” tells them something real. Wherever you can, use numbers, examples, and context.
Use action verbs. Start your bullet points with words like managed, supported, delivered, trained, organised, reduced, built, or coordinated. These make your experience sound active and purposeful.
Tailor it every time. A generic CV sent to every employer rarely gets results. Even small changes to your personal statement and skills section to match the job description can make a significant difference.
Make it easy to read. Use a clean font like Arial or Calibri at size 11 or 12. Use headings, bullet points, and white space. Avoid graphics, tables, and two-column layouts, as these can confuse the software employers use to scan CVs.
Proofread carefully. Spelling and grammar errors are one of the most common reasons CVs are rejected. Use a spell checker, read it back yourself, and ask someone else to look over it too.
Save it properly. Export your CV as a PDF and name the file professionally, for example: Alex-Carter-CV.pdf. A PDF preserves your formatting across different devices and email clients.
If you already have a CV but it has not been touched in a while, you do not need to start from scratch. You just need to bring it up to date and sharpen it up.
Start by reviewing the basics. Check your contact details are current, including your phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile if you have one. Remove anything that is no longer relevant or accurate.
Add what has changed. Any new jobs, qualifications, training courses, or skills you have gained since you last updated it should be added at the top of the relevant sections. Do not just append them at the bottom.
Refresh your personal statement. This is often the section people forget to update. Read it as if you are a stranger seeing it for the first time. Does it still reflect where you are now and what you are looking for?
Cut anything outdated. Old GCSEs from fifteen years ago, jobs from early in your career that are no longer relevant, and skills you no longer use can all be trimmed or removed. Your most recent experience should take up the most space.
Check the formatting. If your CV was last updated in an older version of Word or a format that no longer looks right, it is worth rebuilding the layout from scratch using a clean template. Consistent fonts, spacing, and alignment matter more than most people realise.
Ask someone to review it. A fresh pair of eyes will always catch things you have missed, whether that is a typo, an unclear sentence, or a gap you forgot to explain.
One of the biggest differences between candidates who get interviews and those who do not is whether they tailor their CV to each application. Here is how to do it without rewriting your entire CV every time.
Read the job description carefully. Look at the skills, experience, and qualifications the employer is asking for. Note the specific words and phrases they use, as these are often the same terms their ATS is scanning for.
Update your personal statement. This is the most important place to tailor. A few tweaks to reflect the specific role and employer can make your CV feel written for them rather than sent to everyone.
Adjust your key skills section. Make sure the skills you list mirror the language in the job description. If they say “safeguarding awareness” and you have that experience, use those exact words.
Reorder your bullet points. In your work experience section, bring the most relevant responsibilities and achievements to the top of each role. Employers are more likely to read the first two or three lines of a section than the last two.
Do not change facts, only emphasis. Tailoring is about relevance, not exaggeration. You are reorganising and reframing what is true, not inventing things. Never include experience or qualifications you do not have.
Keep a master version. It is worth keeping a full, unedited version of your CV that contains everything, even sections you trim for specific applications. That way you always have a complete record to draw from.
A standard UK CV has the following sections. Here is each one explained simply, with examples of what good looks like.
Keep this brief and professional. Include your full name, phone number, email address, and your town or city. A LinkedIn profile link is optional but worth adding if yours is up to date.
What to leave out: date of birth, photo, marital status, nationality, and your full home address. UK employers do not need these and including them can work against you.
Example:
Alex Carter 07911 234 567 | [email protected] | Birmingham linkedin.com/in/alexcarter
This sits just below your contact details and is the first thing most recruiters read. It should be three to four lines that sum up who you are, what you offer, and what you are looking for.
Example for someone with no experience:
“Motivated and reliable recent college graduate with a Level 3 qualification in Early Years Education. Gained hands-on experience supporting children’s development through a six-week placement at a local nursery. Looking for a full-time role in early years or care where I can continue to grow and make a real difference.”
Example for a career changer:
“Former retail team leader with five years of experience managing customer-facing teams, now looking to move into adult social care. Completed a Care Certificate in 2024 and have been volunteering with a local support group for six months. Bring strong communication skills, patience, and a genuine passion for helping others.”
Tailor this section every time you apply. Even a small tweak to match the job description makes a real difference.
A short list of your most relevant skills. Six to eight bullet points works well. Use the language of the job description where you can, as this helps your CV pass through ATS screening.
Example:
List your jobs in reverse order, most recent first. For each one include your job title, the employer name, the dates you worked there, and three to five bullet points about what you did and what you achieved.
The key here is to show impact, not just list tasks.
Weak example:
Responsible for serving customers and handling cash.
Strong example:
Served up to 80 customers per shift in a busy cafe environment, handling cash and card payments accurately and maintaining positive customer feedback scores throughout.
No work experience? Include school or college projects, volunteering, placements, part-time or weekend work in any field, or any positions of responsibility like being a sports captain or event organiser. These all count.
Have a gap in your work history? A brief explanation is always better than leaving it unexplained.
“Career break, 2023 to 2024: completed additional training and supported a family member with care responsibilities.”
List your qualifications in reverse order, most recent first. Include the name of the qualification, where you studied, and the dates.
Example:
Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care London Cactus College, 2024
BTEC National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care (Distinction) Southgate Sixth Form College, 2022
GCSEs including English (Grade 5) and Maths (Grade 4) Highfield Academy, 2020
If your qualifications are from outside the UK, include them and add a short note on the equivalent level if you can. This helps employers who may not recognise the name of the qualification straight away.
This is the place for professional courses, short training programmes, and industry-recognised certificates that sit separately from your main qualifications.
Example:
Even short courses are worth listing here if they are relevant to the job you are applying for.
This section is optional but can work in your favour when used well. Ask yourself whether it tells the employer something useful that is not already in your CV.
A team sport shows you can collaborate. Running a community group shows leadership. Regular volunteering shows commitment and values. Keep this section brief and choose interests that reflect something relevant about you as a person.
You do not need to include your references on your CV. Simply write “References available on request” at the bottom, or leave this section out altogether. Employers will ask for them when they need them.
Never include someone’s personal contact details on your CV without asking them first.
Reading about how to write a CV is one thing. Seeing a finished, professionally laid out example makes it much easier to picture how yours should look.
We have put together a free sample CV you can download and use as a guide. It shows a complete, realistic CV for a candidate with a mix of work experience, volunteering, and qualifications, laid out exactly as a recruiter would expect to see it.
What is inside the download:
Once you have your sample CV and a structure to follow, the hardest part is simply getting started. Do not wait until your CV feels perfect. A clear, honest, and well-organised CV sent today is worth more than a polished one that never gets finished.
At London Cactus College, we support learners at every stage of their journey. Whether you are looking to build new skills, gain a recognised qualification, or make a change in your career, we have courses across adult care, early years education, access to higher education, construction, and more. If you are ready to take the next step, we would love to hear from you.
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